Thames Tideway Tunnel

The Planning Inspectorate Inquiry into the Thames Tideway Tunnel has opened in London's Barbican Centre (the centre itself is named after an outwork of the City of London's medieval defences). If consent is granted, consrtuction will begin in 2015. The proposal is a super sewer broadly following the route of the Thames and intercepting water that comes from Combined Sewers

Combined Sewer

Thames Tideway Tunnel map. Credit: ITV London

 it will be paid for by an extra charge on water bills

The development is controversial on two counts -

1. The problem is combined sewers, which overflow into the river with sudden storms. Replace them with Green Infrastructure: French drains for gullies, permeable surfaces, Evapo-transpiration of "green roofs" and the problem is solved. So campainers say that the Supersewer is simply retrofitting extra capacity rather than solving the core problem
2. Throughout the scheme are over 40 local objectors groups and local councils. Their objections include the permanent impact on the landscape as well as the disruption through construction. So far, only construction issues seem to have been addressed, rather than the persistent effects (Evening Standard report)

Local anglers, however, are keen for work to take place as soon as possible, to save fish stocks in the river ( Anglers Mail  report )

Details of documents and measures are available via the "planning portal" http://infrastructure.planningportal.gov.uk/projects/london/thames-tideway-tunnel/

FOR EXAMPLE King Edward Memorial Park at Shadwell is planned to have signifiocant works which wil disrupt the park for a long time

http://www.thamestidewaytunnel.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/DCO_KEMP_Below-Ground-1024x721.jpg

However, objectors are equally annoyed by the permanent imposition of ventilation "chimneys" on the foreshore of the park, as they are concerned about the damage to the park during construction

Potential visual impact 

Campaigners erect  mock ventilation tower

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